3.8
3.5 
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3.2 Good (Non Funding) Experience Working with Them
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by randfish on 2009-07-01
I've worked professionally (in a consulting and partnership role) with lots of folks from Benchmark - Rich Barton, Bill Gurley, Michael Eisenberg & Nirav Tolia, and always been impressed with their intelligence, professionalism and respectfulness. I think they're smart folks with a good brand name (and they do leverage that, though not in an insulting fashion).
I have not pitched to them formally nor have I taken funding from them, but have done work on several projects with Benchmark and would count them among the better relationships I've had in the professional VC world.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyBenchmark Pitch Today
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-10-17
probably the most disrespectful experience ever on so many levels - WOW!
PRIVATE: Members Only (710 Characters)Benchmark Iv, a $1 Billion Failure" Possibly.
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-08-09
Do Your Homework Before Pitching
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-07-22
Here are some articles to help you in your Benchamrk evaluation...
http://www.siliconbeat.com/entries/Ep...
PRIVATE: Members OnlyBuilt to Last or Built to Hype
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-07-19
Ariba, Kana, Broadbase, Friendster.
This VC has tried to build many companies like Friendster, WebVan, Living.com and MVP.com by hiring rock-star, big-company talent. Then hyping the company to unsustainable stock-market success.
Even when Benchmark has taken companies public and recognized significant returns off them, in many cases the management team they put in place, the race to go public, or the race to sell the company has caused the company to collapse or have long term problems.
PRIVATE: Members Only (1218 Characters)Have They Changed Since E Boys!?
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by $B start-up on 2008-07-16
Pitched Benchmark in 2002
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-07-08
I pitched benchmark in 2002 and found them very engaging and charming. I had limited time because of travel and I met with partners over a two day period in four different meetings.
At that time their front office staff was very attractive and very attractively dressed. I kept waiting to be told there was a two drink minimum.
PRIVATE: Members Only (211 Characters)Jon Teo, Horrible Experience
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by jjb9e on 2008-07-04
Beware of their non-partners. Jon Teo was assigned to review us, and he obviously wasnt being paid extra to do this work since he canceled meetings at the last minute, didnt reply to emails or voice mails, and did his work only when he received direct orders from partners.
PRIVATE: Members Only (436 Characters)So Far, So Good
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by tmornini@engineyard.com on 2008-06-16
We're happy and excited to be working with Peter and Mitch.
They've been enormously helpful with connections and operational insight.
PRIVATE: Members Only (83 Characters)Epinions Founder Lawsuit +
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2008-06-08
Bill Gurley Slept Through My Pitch
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by toroid on 2008-03-26
ok, so i pitched Gurley recently. referred by a good friend, although with a pinch of salt. I left in a half hour since gurley fell asleep.
I will never pitch benchmark again. These guys are amateurs compared to the big boys like Sequoia and NEA.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyKagle Very Pleasant to Work With
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by mdmccmi on 2008-02-27
I known Bob Kagle since 2000 and have always found him, fair and fun to work with.
PRIVATE: Members OnlyDon't Play with Women
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-05-11
Benchmark has said publicly that they will never fund a woman-founded company. They've never had a woman partner. And the mood seems to be like a frat party (a real turnoff to women).
Is there any point to woman founders going to pitch" Has anyone had contrary experience"
PRIVATE: Members OnlyHighly Opinionated, Love Big Names
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Anonymous on 2007-05-04
I've pitched Benchmark three times, and took their money once. Here's something you will likely hear - "that's not the way the future will unfold". They have strong opinions about what might happen, so you'll find out soon if you're in or not.
PRIVATE: Members Only (108 Characters)Regarded as One of the Best but Have Had Fair Share of Failures
Fund: Benchmark Capital
Posted by Y2K on 2007-03-16
They've made some huge mistakes - Webvan, Tristrata etc but at the same time made some big hits namely Ebay.
PRIVATE: Members Only (371 Characters)